Distilleries
Hombo Mars
Published 13/08/2025
The Shinshu (or Mars Shinshu) Distillery founded in 1985 by Hombo Shuzo Co. Ltd is companies third distillery the previous two Yamanashi Distillery (1960-1969) and Mars Kagoshima Distillery (1978-1984) both having ceased operations. The current Mars Shinshu Distillery temporarily ceased operation between 1992 and 2011 but has resumed production with its first 3 year old being released as the The Revival 2011
Imperial
Published 13/08/2025
Imperial was one of Scotlands most unlucky distilleries spending more than half of her life closed, decades as a floor maltings only operation and ultimatley looted for scrap before being unceremoniouslt demolished. Completed a mere 18 months before the Pattison whisky crisis Imperial remained closed for the next 20 years, production finally resumed for less than 6 years before she was again mothballed and maintained as floor maltings for the next 30 years.
Inchdairnie
Published 13/08/2025
InchDairnie is one of many recent distilleries built to supply whisky primarily for the blending market rather than consumers a fact reflected in the lack of marketing and visitor centre. Instead anticipating increased demand for malt for blending Ian Palmer established a relationship with MacDuff International (the Glasgow-based blender responsible for Grand Macnish, Lauder’s, and Islay Mist) allowing a guaranteed route to market. Although having clocked up 40 years in the whisky industry, working at Glen Turner, Glen Moray, Invergordon and Starlaw distilleries, it’s fair to say that Ian Palmer is primarily a grain distillery a sector he describes as having "no fear of technology and a willingness to give something a go".
Inverleven
Published 13/08/2025
A distillery within a distillery, Inverleven was a pair of pot stills established within the Dumbarton grain complex. The spirit was intended to support the blending of owner Hiram Walker’s Ballantine’s blend though never proved too popular with the blenders. A number of single malts were released, including Chivas Brothers’ Deoch an Doras (one for the road) and Cadenheads Dumbarton ‘Inverleven stills’. During it’s lifetime a Lomond style still was added to the fray, both the Lomond and the inverleven stills fell silent several years before the eventual shutdown and demolition of the Dumbarton complex.
Isle Of Harris
Published 13/08/2025
If you are looking for the Isle of Harris Distillery, you will find it on your whisky map in the extreme north-west of Scotland. Founded in 2015 in Tarbert, the distillery is, along with Abhainn Dearg, the only whisky distillery in the Outer Hebrides. We introduce the newcomer. The island of Lewis and Harris is relatively remote and is characterized by rough, pristine nature. Only about 21,000 people live here and tourism is the main industry.